1.2 Million acres burned in Oregon, four times more than average for this time of year

Cooler weather over the last few days has given fire crews a chance to get some of Oregon’s biggest fires lined. Some of those fires are also contained, but now firefighters worry about the upcoming heat and lightning storms.

So far this season, wildfires in Oregon have burned 1.2 million acres which is four times the average for this time of year.

"It’s weird to have this level of fire activity this early in the year and I think we were having a fairly normal season up until the beginning of July and then we had a heat wave and several lighting events that put thousands of lightning strikes on the ground," said Jessica Neujahr, a spokesperson for the Oregon Department of Forestry.

The impact of fire in Oregon has already been catastrophic according to data from the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office (OSFM). The agency is reporting roughly 28 homes lost and 73 structures but that number is preliminary and more destruction could still be reported.

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Author: KATU News
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News post in at: August 3, 2024, 3:03 am.

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